I cashed my only play for half a unit last night, coming on a rare goalie goal. Today the NHL has a loaded 15 game slate, let’s make it three winning nights in a row!
Devils vs. Flyers (12:30)
Pretty big mismatch in the Metro Division to drop the puck on this loaded day of hockey. The Devils have been very good this season, in second place in the Metro Division but they’re struggling right now with just two wins in their last nine games, but on a five game point streak, coming off a 4-3 overtime loss in Toronto on Thursday night. The Flyers aren’t a good team by any means, but they’re on a four game point streak with three wins in that span, coming off a 5-3 win on Long Island on Thursday. Jersey is the far better team here and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but I’m not betting it.
Senators vs. Bruins (3:00)
This Atlantic Division matchup isn’t great. The first game between these teams was close with the Senators winning 3-2 in overtime on the road in November. Ottawa’s playing pretty well lately. They’re coming off a 1-0 overtime loss at home to the Caps on Thursday, a double shutout, ending a three game win streak. Prior to that win streak, they had just one win in the span of seven games. The Bruins have won their last two games in a row, beating Tampa and Florida after a six game losing streak. I’d lean the Bruins win this on the road, but I’m not betting it. I do like the under though, and I’ll take the alternate under 6 for half a unit.
Avalanche vs. Stars (4:00)
Fantastic matchup here between two playoff teams in the Central playing for seeding as they’ve been going back and forth between the third place spot in the Division and the Wild Card, but they both should make the playoffs without a sweat. The Avs are coming off a 4-3 loss at home to the Oilers on Thursday, blowing a 3-0 lead in the first period as they gave up four straight. They have a 9-3-1 record in their last 13 games. The Stars have been very good as well, with eight wins in their last ten games, coming off a 3-1 loss at home to the Habs on Thursday. Dallas won the first game between these teams 5-3 at home late in November. I’d lean the Avs answer back here and I’d lean the under, but I’m not touching this game from a betting perspective.
Panthers vs. Ducks (6:00)
Terrible cross conference matchup for a huge mismatch. The Panthers are comfortably in second place in the Atlantic Division and have been very good this year, but the Cup Champs are struggling right now. Coming off a 5-2 loss at home to the Red Wings on Thursday, they have just four wins in their last eleven games. The Ducks though are one of the worst teams in the NHL. Coming off a 4-3 shootout loss in Tampa (loss for me since I had the Bolts in regulation), they have just one win in their last six games. I like Florida to get right here and the books do too with the moneyline all the way up to -360. I’ll take the Panthers puck line for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but I’ll just stick with Florida here.
Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs (7:00)
This should be an awesome original six matchup up in Canada. These rivals split their their two previous games, with the Habs winning in a 1-0 shutout in the first week of the season at home and the Leafs answering back 4-1 at home in November. Montreal’s the hottest team in the league right now, coming into tonight on a six game point streak with an 11-2-1 record in their last 14 games. Toronto’s been good all season, leading the Atlantic Division. They’re coming off a 4-3 overtime win at home against the Devils on Thursday that ended a three game losing streak that came after a five game win streak. I think the Leafs are the better team here but I wouldn’t be shocked if Canadiens won this game by any means. The books are starting to respect them as well, with the +1.5 on the Habs at -215. I’d lean the over, but I think the best play on this game is no bets at all. I’ll stay off it completely, should be a fun game.
Lightning vs. Red Wings (7:00)
Very interesting matchup here in the Atlantic Division and even though these teams are at opposite ends of the standings, they’re separated by just five points. The Lightning have been very good this year, in third place in the division. After a four game losing streak, they’ve been solid since, coming into tonight with a 4-1-1 record in their last six games after a 4-3 shootout win against the Ducks on Thursday. The Red Wings have been on fire lately. Coming off a 5-2 win in Florida to bounce back from losing to the Sharks at home, they have eight wins in their last nine games. Although I’d lean the Bolts win here, I wouldn’t be surprised if Detroit keeps it close. I like the Red Wings +1.5, which I’ll take for half a unit. I also like the over, which I’ll take at 6 for half a unit.
Rangers vs. Blue Jackets (7:00)
This Metro Division matchup isn’t great, but it could be a decent game. the Rangers have been brutal this season, a big fall from grace from their trip to the Eastern Conference Finals last year. They seem to have figured something out recently though, on a six game point streak with a 5-1-2 record in their last eight games, coming off a 5-3 win in Utah on Thursday. The Blue Jackets had very low expectations going into the season and have far outperformed them. They’re playing good and right in the Wild Card mix in the East. Coming off a 4-1 win at home against the sharks on Thursday, they are on a six game win streak with a 10-2-1 record in their last 13 games. I’d very slightly lean the Rangers win this game, but I don’t see them worth betting on. I do think there’s value on the Jackets as a dog and I’ll take Columbus +1.5 for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the over, but there’s not enough statistically to back that up.
Capitals vs. Penguins (7:00)
A classic Metro Division rivalry matchup here, Sid vs. Ovi, but there isn’t much luster to it with how separated these two teams are in the standings. The Capitals have been fantastic this season, leading the Eastern Conference with a seven point lead over the Devils for first place in the Metro Division. They’re coming off a 1-0 overtime win in Ottawa on Thursday on Ovi’s electric game winner. They are on a three game win streak and nine game point streak right now. The Penguins have been terrible this season and are in the second half of a back to back. Last night they ended a three game losing streak with a 5-2 win in Buffalo as Alex Nedeljkovic scored a goal (hitting my over) and recorded an assist, the first time in NHL history that a goalie has done both in one game. That was just Pittsburgh’s second win in their last nine games. The Pens won the first game between these teams 4-2 on the road in November. I love the Caps to answer back here and I’ll take Washington for a unit, along with half a unit on the puck line. I’d lean the over, but I’m not touching the total.
Jets vs. Flames (7:00)
This Western Conference matchup up in Canada isn’t great. The Jets have had a great season and lead the West. They’re coming into tonight on a three game win streak with a 4-0-1 record in their last five games, coming off a 2-1 win at home against Seattle on Thursday (double winner for me). Calgary’s been very inconsistent and I’m not sold on them this season. They’re coming off two loss in a row in St. Louis, losing 4-1 on Thursday and 2-1 on Tuesday. Winnipeg won the first game between these teams 5-3 in October on the road. I like them to win again here and I’ll take the Jets in regulation for half a unit. I considered the Flames team total under, which I absolutely would’ve been on if Hellebuyck was starting, but with Eric Comrie likely to start in goal for Winnipeg, I’ll lay off that. I’d lean the over on the game, but I’ll just stick with the Jets here.
Islanders vs. Sharks (7:30)
Horrendous cross conference matchup with two of the worst teams in the league facing each other. The Islanders are coming off two straight losses, losing 5-3 in Philly on Thursday night. They’re still much better than San Jose though, who along with the Blackhawks are easily one of the two worst teams in the NHL. Coming off a 4-1 loss in Columbus, they have just three wins in their last 15 games. The Isles should win this game at home, but no shot they’re worth the -215 or buying down to regulation only. I’ll stay off the side in this game. I’d lean the under, but I don’t like it enough at 5.5, so I’ll lay off this game completely.
Blackhawks vs. Golden Knights (8:00)
Horrendous Western Conference matchup here between the worst team in the NHL and one of the best. Chicago’s the worst team in the league. Coming off a 3-2 shootout loss in Nashville on Thursday, they’re on a four game losing streak with just two wins in their last twelve games. The Golden Knights still lead the Pacific Division and are my pick to win the Cup, but they’re in a slump right now and are now tied with the Oilers. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight coming off a 3-2 loss in Carolina last night and have just one win in their last five games after they had just two losses in their previous 15 games. Even in the second half of a back to back, this should be a great “get right” spot for Vegas. I’ll take the Knights in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the over, but don’t like it enough to bet on.
Predators vs. Wild (8:00)
This matchup isn’t great. The Predators have been the biggest disappointment of the season, only better than the Blackhawks in the Central. They are coming off two wins in a row, surprisingly beating Vegas 5-3 on Tuesday and then winning 3-2 in a shootout against the Blackhawks on Thursday. The Wild have been very good this year, comfortably in a playoff spot and playing for seeding, current in second place in the Central. They’re coming off losses to the Oilers on Wednesday and Golden Knights on Sunday, but prior to those two losses had seven wins in their previous nine games. Minnesota won both prior games between these teams 3-2 in overtime at home and then 5-3 at home. Even with all their injuries, I think there’s solid value on the Wild and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but I don’t like it enough from a betting perspective.
Utah Hockey Club vs. Blues (8:00)
This is a pretty boring Central Division matchup. Utah’s struggling with just two wins in their last twelve games (one of those against the Sharks), on a three game losing streak, coming off a 5-3 loss at home to the Rangers on Thursday. The Blues are a mid tier team, in the mix for the second Wild Card spot in the West, and come into tonight toff two wins at home against the Flames in a row, beating them 4-1 on Thursday and 2-1 on Tuesday. Utah won the first game between these teams 4-2 on the road back in November. I like St. Louis to answer back here and I’ll take them as a slight dog for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Canucks vs. Oilers (10:00)
Lousy Pacific Division matchup here. The Canucks in the midst of locker room turmoil have struggled lately and although they’re still in the mix for the second Wild Card, they have just one win in their last seven games and just three in their last 14. They just got smoked twice this week, getting crushed 5-1 at home by the Kings on Thursday and 6-1 in Winnipeg on Tuesday. The Oilers look like a big time Cup contender. They’re tied with Vegas at the top of the Pacific and come into tonight on a four game win streak with just one loss in their last nine games, coming off a 4-3 win in Colorado on Thursday where they erased an early 3-0 first period deficit. Edmonton won the first game between these teams 7-3 on the road back in November. Although I don’t see this one being quite as lopsided, I still like Edmonton to win this one relatively easily. I’ll take the Oilers for a unit, along with half a unit each on the puck line and their team total. I’d lean the over on the game, but I’ll just stick with the Oil.
Kraken vs. Kings (10:00)
Pretty shitty Pacific Division game to close out the night. Seattle’s struggled this season. Coming off a 2-1 loss in Winnipeg on Thursday (double winner for me), they have just four wins in their last 15 games. The Kings haven’t been excellent offensively but they’ve been elite on the back end this year. They’re coming off a 5-1 win in Winnipeg on Thursday and have five wins in their last seven games as they sit comfortably in third place in the division. LA won the first game between these teams 2-1 at home in November. I’d expect another win for them tonight on the road and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Game Bets
.5u Devils in regulation (-135)
.5u Senators/Bruins under 6 (-143)
.5u Panthers -1.5 (-135)
.5u Red Wings +1.5 (-142)
.5u Lightning/Red Wings over 6 (-120)
.5u Blue Jackets +1.5 (-155)
1u Capitals ML (-192)
.5u Capitals -1.5 (+130)
.5u Jets in regulation (-130)
1u Golden Knights in regulation (-150)
.5u Wild ML (+150)
.5u Blues ML (+102)
1u Oilers ML (-170)
.5u Oilers -1.5 (+145)
.5u Oilers TT over 3.5 (-105)
.5u Kings ML (-155)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 304-256-12 (-28.08 units)
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